CALIFORNIAN: Temecula Presents reaches far and wide for new season

For Old Town Temecula Community Theater Manager Bea Barnett, the announcement of the 2012-13 Temecula Presents season is an emotional one.

Barnett, who was recently named to the position after the untimely death of Bruce Beers last year, stepped in to book the remainder of the season that Beers had begun.

It couldn't have been easy for Barnett, who considered Beers not only a boss, but a friend and mentor.

"It has been a challenge and very rewarding to book this season, but I have to hand it to a great mentor and guide in Bruce Beers, who taught us the ropes (and) left us in great shape to book the new series," Barnett said. "A couple of the performers were already booked by Bruce. But having just been named manager, we had to pull it together in about four months. It was an impacted schedule, but we were able to get top quality performers."

Barnett said she tried to put her own touch on the season and reach an audience that hasn't yet been attracted by the theater.

"We're encouraging a next generation of patrons to take a chance," she said. "Right here in our own backyard, for $20, we want people to have a taste of something new. If you have friends in town, don't know what to do, give us a call. We'll hook you up on entertainment."

Barnett said she has tried to provide a full variety of entertainment from all over the country.

"The theme of this season is a cultural tourism expedition: We are going to take you from your theater seat to far-flung destinations," she said.

There is also a concerted effort to promote and sell shows by local theater companies, musicians and groups.

"In addition, with resident companies who have been with us since the theater opened in 2005, we are now presenting a unified effort to promote and sell the community theater productions, musicals, choir shows, straight plays, comedies," Barnett said.

Season and series ticket packages are on sale now; individual tickets will go on sale Aug. 8. Group discounts are available.

To buy tickets online, visit temeculatheater.org; order by phone at 866-653-8696. Or visit the theater box office, 42051 Main St., which is open 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 2 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Mail in your ticket order form and payment to: Old Town Temecula Community Theater, Ticket Office, 42051 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590.

FRIDAY NIGHT GROOVE SERIES

Multiculturalism is the theme of the Friday Night Groove Series this season. Performances range from world music to straight-ahead jazz, R&B to Afro-Latin Jazz, and eclectic fusion to pure blues. Season package price: $100 for all six performances.

A Tribute to Etta James Featuring Thelma Jones & Jimmy Z will play the blues and soul in the tradition of Etta James and other great blues singers and musicians. With legendary vocalist Thelma Jones, bandleader and harmonica/sax sensation Jimmy Z, Etta James' sons, Donto and Sametto, providing the driving rhythm on drums and bass, and some of the best blues musicians in the country rounding it out, get ready to rock; sonsofetta.com